Caring for the Sick

We take care of ourselves the best way we know how by eating well, crossing streets carefully, driving with caution, and taking vitamins. There are infinite ways to take care of our precious health. It is the single most important asset that we have since our success and happiness in life ultimately depend on whether we can get out of bed to work and to be with the people that we love.

However, we all know that getting sick is sometimes unavoidable. It may be due to an accident or disease---there are several causes---but it is a fact of life that most of us are inhibited by sickness at some point in our lives. Some, for the rest of their lives. This causes stress and tension between family members as the cost of medical care is ridiculously expensive here in the Philippines (more so in other countries though). The sick person is not only affected physically but emotionally as well. Depression and boredom cannot be helped, especially if the person has been bedridden for some time. In worse cases, hopelessness by both the sick person and his or her family ensues. This is a sad fact of life.

How do we prevent this depression, this boredom, this hopelessness by the sick? If we know a sick person whom we care about, there are simple ways to pep him or her up. How? By giving flowers! Doing this may not be as final as a clean bill of health, but flowers are excellent cheer-uppers. Their bright colors can light up a whole room and their fragrance can chase out the noxious smell of medication and staleness in the room. The profound positive psychological effect of giving flowers to a person who is sick may be just what he or she needs in the midst of misery.

Make your sick loved one feel special by giving flowers everyday. There are several types of flowers, but roses are fool-proof; more importantly, they are easily available anywhere in the Philippines. To buy roses here in the Philippines, you can walk in at a florist's shop or visit online shops that offer efficient delivery.

Giving light pink roses say that you admire and sympathize with the person. Giving peach roses, on the other hand, conveys sociability and friendship. Red, of course, says that you love the person very much. You don't need to give a bouquet of roses everyday. One stalk can make all the difference. Imagine it at the bedside when your sick loved one wakes up in the morning and even you will feel a bit lighter!

Add a personal note to the single rose or bouquet of roses. Make the person feel extra special by consoling and assuring him or her that you will be there throughout his or her sickness. The flower is just an exclamation point to how you feel. Remember, show that you care for the person---giving flowers just makes it all the more beautiful.